The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE)’s decision to issue a Non-Cooperation Directive (NCD) has sparked reactions across the film industry and on social media. While many questioned whether a film body can “ban” an artiste, FWICE General Secretary Ashok Dubey clarified that the organization has not banned anyone.

Dubey tells us, “Agar ye trend chalta raha to kaafi filmmaker aur producers nuksaan mein jaayenge. Humne Ranveer Singh ko ban nahi kiya, humne toh non-cooperation bola hai. Federation ke members ka decision hai ye. Film body ka internal decision hai that our members will not work with him until the Don 3 matter gets resolved.”

Actor Manoj Bajpayee reacted to the controversy while speaking at the trailer launch of his upcoming film, when he was asked about safeguarding actors in such situations. As per PTI, while saying he hopes “the matter is resolved soon”, the actor clarified that he “does not have detailed information about it” and that the “industry currently only knows about the matter through social media”.

One of the first reactions came from filmmaker Sanjay Gupta, who questioned the move, arguing that banning an actor ultimately affects film productions and the livelihood of hundreds of crew members. Taking to X, Gupta wrote, “When an A-list hero shoots there are more than 300 workers working on sets. Ban him and you are not stopping him but depriving the workers of their livelihood. What sense does it even make???”

Reacting to Sanjay Gupta’s remarks, Ashok Dubey, General Secretary, FWICE, said film bodies have consistently supported filmmakers during production-related disputes. “I want to ask Sanjay Gupta ji that when his film Mumbai Saga (2021) was being shot and Jackie Shroff ne aane se mana kar diya, he came to us. IFTDA and FWICE intervened and sorted the matter. Where was this objection then?” he said.